Giving as Christ Gave For Us

Giving as Christ Gave For Us

2004006

Topic # 1470

Introduction:

A. Psa 50:7-15 – God is the owner of everything that exists.

1. Focus on 50:12b. For the world is mine & all it contains.

2. 1 Cor. 10:26 – this can also be said of Jesus.

B. Before He came to this world – Jesus was on equality with God.

1. John 17:3-5 – esp. 5

a) Jesus willingly gave this up & came & lived as a man & died on the cross for the redemption of man.

2. This also seen in Phil. 2:5-6 – He left His place in heaven & came to earth.

3. He gave all for us! It is a challenge for us to grasp what He gave up. What He was willing to sacrifice.

C. Christians are encouraged to have a giving spirit – remembering that everything we have comes from God.

1. This remains a challenge for some Christians. This challenge certainly presented itself in the first century.

2. 2 Cor. 8:7-12 – Corinthians encouraged to give to help needy brethren in Jerusalem.

a) Jerusalem church did not have resources to take care of its own.

b) Corinthian church – a year earlier had made a commitment to help out – but had yet to follow through.

c) In these verses, Paul encourages them to follow through – to complete the work.

D. Focus on 8:9. Here is the reason he encourages them to give liberally.

1. Each one of us must consider Jesus as we give!

2. Just how rich was Jesus?

E. He is the creator!

1. John 1:1-3 – All things were made through Him.

2. Heb. 1:1-2 – God the Father made the world through His Son.

3. Col. 1:15-17 – worlds continue to be held together through Him.

I. How poor did Jesus become?

A. Phil. 2:5-6 – being a man is a long way from being equal to God.

1. 2:7 – He choose a condition of poverty. The form of a servant.

2. He was connected w/a poor family.

a) Family of David? Yes! Lk. 2:4

b) But his immediate family was in the depths of poverty.

1) Isa. 1:11 – Jesus described as a “shoot” that would rise up from the root of a decayed tree.

3. Don’t make the mistake up lightly passing over 2:7.

B. He went from Master & Ruler over all to being the servant of all.

1. Mt. 20:26-28

2. John 13:3-5

a) Who should have washed whose feet?

C. 2:8 – being found in appearance as a man…

1. John 1:1, 14 – took on a fleshly body.

2. For God to become a man – is similar to man becoming a worm.

a) Psa. 8:4 – what is man that you take thought of Him & the Son of Man that you care for him?

3. Someone has said: not only are we insignificant – we are also iniquitous. As sinners we deserve nothing but God’s thunderbolts. Some of us feel inclined to dispute w/Saul of Tarsus for the title of “chief of sinners.” It will ever remain a wonder to me that the Son of God should have condescended to die for me.”

4. How poor was Jesus while on earth?

a) Lk. 2:7 – at his birth – wrapped in swaddling clothes. (Literally – strips of clothing.)

b) Laid in a manger – a feeding trough for animals.

c) Lk. 9:58 – he had no home.

1) No farm; no plantations; no splendid places.

2) Only property He owned – were the clothes on his back. (these divided among soldiers at his death)

d) He was among the most poor in Jewish society.

5. All done on a voluntary basis. He could have come in the condition of a great prince – he chose not to do it.

D. 2:8b – obedient – to the point of death.

1. Greatest example of poverty seen in his death on the cross.

a) Jesus dreaded death. Just like any other person.

b) Heb. 5:7-9 – 5:7 refers to his prayer in the Garden the night before crucifixion.

2. He suffered this penalty due to our sin.

a) Rom. 5:6-10

b) Again… we point out – this done willingly – John 10:11; 15-18

II. Jesus became poor that we might be rich.

A. As Paul tried to get the Corinthians to give – He wanted to remind them how rich they had become.

1. Important for us to think about how rich we have become & remember how poor we once were.

2. Jesus went from riches to poverty so we could go from poverty to riches.

B. Eph. 2:1 – so poor – we were dead in our trespasses & sins.

C. Eph. 2:12 – so poor – we were w/o hope & w/o God in the world.

D. So poor – that we were once sinners condemned to eternal fire.

E. So poor – that Jesus had to die for us that we might not perish.

F. How rich have we become?

1. 1 John 3:1 – we’re God’s children.

2. Eph. 1:7 – we’re free from sin.

3. Phil. 4:6 – we’re free from worry.

4. Heb. 2:14 – we don’t have to fear death anymore.

III. No one in this world is richer than the child of God!

A. Christian has been freed from sin. He has peace with God. A peace that surpasses understanding.

B. By the atonement of Christ – all the blessings of grace & glory are procured for us.

1. It is our privilege – no less than our duty – to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C. When a person obeys the gospel – all of his sins are washed away.

1. 1 John 1:9 – same is true of the Christian who repents.

2. Past sins removed completely & God never holds it against us again.

D. We lack the ability to describe how rich we are – as redeemed members of the family of God!

IV. A spiritual heart exam. (Considering what Jesus did for us)

A. Do we realize all things are Gods?

B. Do we realize He has given all things to us? (Even the air we breathe?)

C. Are we willing to give back to Him in abundant amounts?

1. Money doesn’t have to be the only thing under consideration.

2. time/resources/expertise

D. How deep is my appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ?

1. How often do we fail to consider the enormity of the sacrifice?

2. How often are we stingy w/the things that are not even our own?

3. How often do we fail to give cheerfully & w/o holding a grudge?

E. Do we remember that God looks at HOW we give – not just the amount given?

1. Mk. 12:41-44

2. Here we learn some important things about our giving:

a) If we give only what we can afford – it is not sacrifice.

b) It is not sacrifice unless it is given w/the right purpose & for the right reasons.

3. 12:41 – Jesus watching HOW people gave.

4. This widow gave with the right spirit – trusting in God that He would see to her needs.

Conclusion:

A. We ought to give liberally of our material things because Jesus gave Himself for us.

B. When the first day of the week comes – we need to purpose in our hearts in view of how rich we are in Christ.

C. Not a Christian? Consider how poor you are in your present spiritual condition & how through Christ you can become spiritually rich!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Giving as Christ Gave For Us 2004006 Topic # 1470 Introduction: A. Psa 50:7-15 – God is the owner of everything that exists. 1. Focus on 50:12b. For the world is mine & all it contains. 2. 1 Cor. 10:26 – this can also be said of Jesus. B. Before He came to this world – Jesus was on equality with God. 1. John 17:3-5 – esp. 5 a) Jesus willingly gave this up & came & lived as a man & died on the cross for the redemption of man. 2. This also seen in Phil. 2:5-6 – He left His place in heaven & came to earth. 3. He gave all for us! It is a challenge for us to grasp what He gave up. What He was willing to sacrifice. C. Christians are encouraged to have a giving spirit – remembering that everything we have comes from God. 1. This remains a challenge for some Christians. This challenge certainly presented itself in the first century. 2. 2 Cor. 8:7-12 – Corinthians encouraged to give to help needy brethren in Jerusalem. a) Jerusalem church did not have resources to take care of its own. b) Corinthian church – a year earlier had made a commitment to help out – but had yet to follow through. c) In these verses, Paul encourages them to follow through – to complete the work. D. Focus on 8:9. Here is the reason he encourages them to give liberally. 1. Each one of us must consider Jesus as we give! 2. Just how rich was Jesus? E. He is the creator! 1. John 1:1-3 – All things were made through Him. 2. Heb. 1:1-2 – God the Father made the world through His Son. 3. Col. 1:15-17 – worlds continue to be held together through Him. I. How poor did Jesus become? A. Phil. 2:5-6 – being a man is a long way from being equal to God. 1. 2:7 – He choose a condition of poverty. The form of a servant. 2. He was connected w/a poor family. a) Family of David? Yes! Lk. 2:4 b) But his immediate family was in the depths of poverty. 1) Isa. 1:11 – Jesus described as a “shoot” that would rise up from the root of a decayed tree. 3. Don’t make the mistake up lightly passing over 2:7. B. He went from Master & Ruler over all to being the servant of all. 1. Mt. 20:26-28 2. John 13:3-5 a) Who should have washed whose feet? C. 2:8 – being found in appearance as a man… 1. John 1:1, 14 – took on a fleshly body. 2. For God to become a man – is similar to man becoming a worm. a) Psa. 8:4 – what is man that you take thought of Him & the Son of Man that you care for him? 3. Someone has said: not only are we insignificant – we are also iniquitous. As sinners we deserve nothing but God’s thunderbolts. Some of us feel inclined to dispute w/Saul of Tarsus for the title of “chief of sinners.” It will ever remain a wonder to me that the Son of God should have condescended to die for me.” 4. How poor was Jesus while on earth? a) Lk. 2:7 – at his birth – wrapped in swaddling clothes. (Literally – strips of clothing.) b) Laid in a manger – a feeding trough for animals. c) Lk. 9:58 – he had no home. 1) No farm; no plantations; no splendid places. 2) Only property He owned – were the clothes on his back. (these divided among soldiers at his death) d) He was among the most poor in Jewish society. 5. All done on a voluntary basis. He could have come in the condition of a great prince – he chose not to do it. D. 2:8b – obedient – to the point of death. 1. Greatest example of poverty seen in his death on the cross. a) Jesus dreaded death. Just like any other person. b) Heb. 5:7-9 – 5:7 refers to his prayer in the Garden the night before crucifixion. 2. He suffered this penalty due to our sin. a) Rom. 5:6-10 b) Again… we point out – this done willingly – John 10:11; 15-18 II. Jesus became poor that we might be rich. A. As Paul tried to get the Corinthians to give – He wanted to remind them how rich they had become. 1. Important for us to think about how rich we have become & remember how poor we once were. 2. Jesus went from riches to poverty so we could go from poverty to riches. B. Eph. 2:1 – so poor – we were dead in our trespasses & sins. C. Eph. 2:12 – so poor – we were w/o hope & w/o God in the world. D. So poor – that we were once sinners condemned to eternal fire. E. So poor – that Jesus had to die for us that we might not perish. F. How rich have we become? 1. 1 John 3:1 – we’re God’s children. 2. Eph. 1:7 – we’re free from sin. 3. Phil. 4:6 – we’re free from worry. 4. Heb. 2:14 – we don’t have to fear death anymore. III. No one in this world is richer than the child of God! A. Christian has been freed from sin. He has peace with God. A peace that surpasses understanding. B. By the atonement of Christ – all the blessings of grace & glory are procured for us. 1. It is our privilege – no less than our duty – to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. C. When a person obeys the gospel – all of his sins are washed away. 1. 1 John 1:9 – same is true of the Christian who repents. 2. Past sins removed completely & God never holds it against us again. D. We lack the ability to describe how rich we are – as redeemed members of the family of God! IV. A spiritual heart exam. (Considering what Jesus did for us) A. Do we realize all things are Gods? B. Do we realize He has given all things to us? (Even the air we breathe?) C. Are we willing to give back to Him in abundant amounts? 1. Money doesn’t have to be the only thing under consideration. 2. time/resources/expertise D. How deep is my appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ? 1. How often do we fail to consider the enormity of the sacrifice? 2. How often are we stingy w/the things that are not even our own? 3. How often do we fail to give cheerfully & w/o holding a grudge? E. Do we remember that God looks at HOW we give – not just the amount given? 1. Mk. 12:41-44 2. Here we learn some important things about our giving: a) If we give only what we can afford – it is not sacrifice. b) It is not sacrifice unless it is given w/the right purpose & for the right reasons. 3. 12:41 – Jesus watching HOW people gave. 4. This widow gave with the right spirit – trusting in God that He would see to her needs. Conclusion: A. We ought to give liberally of our material things because Jesus gave Himself for us. B. When the first day of the week comes – we need to purpose in our hearts in view of how rich we are in Christ. C. Not a Christian? Consider how poor you are in your present spiritual condition & how through Christ you can become spiritually rich! D. I N V I T A T I O N